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A Proposed Temperature-Dependent Photovoltaic Efficiency Difference Factor for Evaluating Photovoltaic Module Cooling Techniques in Natural or Forced Fluid Circulation Mode

Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering volume 44, pages 8123–8128 (2019)Cite this article

A Correction to this article was published on 10 June 2022

This article has been updated

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) system is one of the alternative technologies that is able to convert solar energy to electricity. The operation of the PV causes its solar cell temperature to be increased, and thus a drop in its performance. Although this loss of PV efficiency can be reduced by incorporating cooling techniques into the PV, there are no existing methods to objectively evaluate the PV cooling techniques. Hence, a method for assessing the PV cooling techniques is proposed here, based on a new parameter called the temperature-dependent PV efficiency difference factor, which is defined and derived. This factor identifies the relevant parameters that effect the efficiency that leads to the assessment of the overall PV cooling technique. This parameter can indicate if the cooling technique is contributing to the PV efficiency gain or loss, or neutral and may have the potential to be a measure of PV cooler performance evaluation by manufacturers and designers of such products.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Change history

Abbreviations

A :

Area (m2)

D :

Diameter of the pipe or channel (m)

F :

Factor, dimensionless

FF:

Fill factor

f :

Darcy friction factor, dimensionless

h :

Convection heat transfer coefficient (W/m2 K)

G :

Solar radiation (W/m2)

g :

Gravitational acceleration (m/s2)

K :

Coefficient loss

L :

Length of pipe or channel (m)

\( \dot{m} \) :

Mass flow rate of the fluid (kg/s)

I :

Electric current (A)

P :

Power (W)

\( \Delta P \) :

Pressure drop (N/m2)

\( \dot{Q} \) :

Heat transfer (W)

T :

Temperature (°C)

V :

Electric voltage (V)

v :

Velocity of the fluid (m/s)

conv:

Convection

fc:

Forced convection using pump or fan

max:

Maximum

os:

Open circuit

PV:

Photovoltaic module

PVCT:

Photovoltaic module with a cooling technique

ref:

Reference

s:

Surface

sc:

Short circuit

STC:

Standard test conditions

TDED:

Temperature-dependent PV efficiency difference

\( \rho \) :

Density of the fluid (kg/m3)

\( \beta \) :

Fractional decrease in PV efficiency per unit temperature increase (K−1)

η :

Efficiency

\( \gamma \) :

Radiation coefficient for cell efficiency

\( \theta \) :

Inclination angle

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University (MMU), Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450, Bukit Beruang, Melaka, Malaysia

    Sakhr M. Sultan, C. P. Tso & M. N. Ervina Efzan

  2. Centre of Advanced Mechanical and Green Technology (CAMGT), Multimedia University (MMU), Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450, Bukit Beruang, Melaka, Malaysia

    Sakhr M. Sultan, C. P. Tso & M. N. Ervina Efzan

Authors
  1. Sakhr M. Sultan
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  2. C. P. Tso
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  3. M. N. Ervina Efzan
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Correspondence to Sakhr M. Sultan.

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Sultan, S.M., Tso, C.P. & Efzan, M.N.E. A Proposed Temperature-Dependent Photovoltaic Efficiency Difference Factor for Evaluating Photovoltaic Module Cooling Techniques in Natural or Forced Fluid Circulation Mode. Arab J Sci Eng 44, 8123–8128 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-019-03932-5

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